Judges and Politics: Why Criticizing the Court Can Be Dangerous

Chief Justice John Roberts recently addressed the issue of political figures criticizing judges. He emphasized the importance of an independent judiciary and cautioned against politicians expressing hostility towards judges. Roberts made these remarks at a conference of judges in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Key Points

• Independent Judiciary: Roberts highlighted the necessity of an independent judiciary.
• Political Criticism: He cautioned against politicians expressing hostility towards judges.
• Recent Rulings: Roberts did not directly address recent high-profile decisions by the Supreme Court.

Notable Supreme Court Rulings

1. Nationwide Injunctions: The court ruled in favor of the president, limiting the power of courts to issue nationwide injunctions.
2. Religious Parents: The court sided with religious parents who want to opt their children out of reading LGBTQ books in schools.
3. Texas Law: The court upheld a Texas law requiring age verification for pornographic websites.

Roberts' Remarks

Roberts acknowledged that criticism of the court's opinions is to be expected. However, he noted that such criticism often stems from a party's disappointment in losing a case. He suggested that criticism based on disappointment is not particularly helpful.